Be bold with pattern play!


Hello again!

Hi there! Did you miss me? Sorry! Life seemed to run away with me last week. I missed posting on Friday as you may have noticed. Life rarely goes to plan, as they say, but here I am again now. I'm urging you to be bold in your styling today - these complimenting prints have inspired me, helping me find some new combinations for work next week. Are you back in the workplace again? Or maybe you'll be working from home for a while longer? 




I really have no idea what I'm going to feel like when I'm back behind the counter serving customers once the island has re-opened. However, I've already decided that feeling anxious and fearful in advance will do me no good at all, and so I'm going to cross that bridge when I get to it - or better still, to use one of Polly's delightful mixed metaphors, "I'll burn that bridge when I get to it!"




Today's outfit is a mix of pre-loved and high street fashion. Sasha bought me this ornately patterned jacket (by Vial Clothes) as a Christmas present a couple of years ago, but this is the first time it's made it onto the blog. The satin floral trousers by Carolina Belle, Montreal, were from TK Maxx in 2018 and were aired on the blog last time here




The lace top is really quite old and being a charity shop find, may be very old indeed! No matter, I love its stretch lace making it an easy-to-wear fit and the cream colour is very versatile too. The ring is also a charity shop purchase.








The silver satin pumps by Kelsi add a playful touch to this relaxed look. These too are from a charity shop, but were brand new and only £8!






I fancy that the retro round framed sunglasses (by River Island) add an air of Annie Hall to this look. Do you agree? Anyway, this is outfit number one, all lined up and ready for the day job. As this is my last week at home, I'll be rushing around like the proverbial blue ar*ed fly, trying to finish all of my spring cleaning. I plan to spend some time pulling clothes together to create new ensembles for the forthcoming weeks too. For those of you heading out for your first bit of retail therapy in 12 weeks, I say "Have fun and keep safe". I've seen huge queues on TV outside Primark in major cities this morning with shoppers keeping their distance and wearing face coverings. It looks like our national hobby has returned!


I'll be back with Dress Up Friday this week - hope you'll drop by then!

Anna x

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14 comments

  1. Love your sunnies, and the jacket! Lise

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  2. Your mixed patterns are so fun. I love those pants. I don't think I'd have the vision to pair these pieces!

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    1. Thanks Kim. The best way to start with pattern play is to bring lots of items together in a random fashion. I toss various interesting prints onto the bed and usually something emerges, either a common colour or clashing that somehow works. It's great fun to do on a rainy day!

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  3. What a wonderful "jammy suit" this is, Anna! I love the interplay of the two patterns - very advanced (impressive!). Despite my non-love for trainers with "real" clothes, I do like these ones. The satin bows make all the difference!

    I hope you are doing okay, my dear! All is good here - things are slowing returning to what passes for normal.

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    1. This was a joyful discovery in my closet the other day and yes, it does pass as a jammy suit. It was the satin bows that made me choose these pumps :)

      We're all fine here thanks. I hope you're okay too x

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  4. I adore those trousers Anna; they hang beautifully and look very elegant with your patterned jacket.
    The pumps are cute; great charity shop find.
    I’d never have put those patterns together and yet they look fabulous. X

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    1. I do love these slouchy pants and it was such a happy accident to find that the two prints worked so well together. Having all of this extra time has given me the chance to play around with my clothes, finding new combinations. It's been great fun shopping my closet!

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  5. Your shoes are fantastic! And how great is your pattern mixing!

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    1. Thanks Nancy. It's a while since I had such fun with patterns x

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  6. Your pattern mixing is sublime here, Anna! Both the jacket and the trousers are pretty spectacular on their own, but together they make for a stunning, non-matching suit! Wishing you a great re-start, and I'm sure you'll "burn that bridge when you get to it". I'm a big fan of a mixed metaphor :-) xxx

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    1. Thank you Ann. I know that patterns are a great source of fun for you too. Work is looming large on the horizon, but I'm sure I'll adapt to a new routine.

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  7. Hey what's going on! Is it the fact your hair is getting longer that you look younger! What's your secret!!!! I need an Anna lesson in mixing patterns, just can't get it right. Stay safe my friend. Jacqui x

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    1. Oh Jacqui - you're going to the top of my Christmas card list with comments like that! The hair is doing its own thing currently and some days that's good, but others maybe not so much.

      You play to your strengths Jacqui, with your particular style so no need to change x

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  8. Ah, I am loving the patterns and materials! So stylish and swish!

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